SVG Motor Sport’s Own Cars

SVGs Andy Johnson in the 20th Classic Marathon
Andy Johnson returned to contest the twentieth Classic Marathon having competed in the inaugural event.

The seven day event started in Ypres, Belgium and finished in Cortina, Italy a week later running through the Dolomite Mountains. Andy was amoung a number of competitors who took part in the 1988 Classic Marathon and tackled this event in memory of his best friend Bill Smith. Bill who co-drove for Andy in 1988 in a 1200cc Simca Special died ten years ago, "We did everything together and I’ve not done any rallying since he died” said Andy.

“I wanted to do the Marathan again and so asked Mick Barter, another friend, to co-drive for me.”

Andy unsucessfully tried to buy back the Simca used in 1988, so instead built up a Toyota Corona into a rally car. “I've got two Coronas, this car which is a 1967 model and the race car from 1964”. SVG Motor Sport stripped and prepared the shell and had the engine rebuilt. The car runs in pretty nearly standard form, the emphasis was on having fun and being reliable to make it to the finish.

The seven day route included the 48 hairpins on the famous Stelvio Pass in Italy.

1964 Toyota Corona
Running in the Classic Touring Car Clubs pre 1966 championship. This car has raced at the Goodwood Revival Meeting and also in a 2008 British Grand Prix support race at Silverstone.

 

Brighton Speed Trials 2009
Andy Johnson of SVG Motorsport entered his Toyota Corona in the Brighton National Speed Trials, commonly held to be the oldest running motor race.

The first race was held in 1905 after Sir Harry Preston persuaded Brighton town council to tarmac the surface of the road adjacent to the beach between the Palace Pier and Black Rock in order to hold motor racing events. This stretch was renamed Madeira Drive in 1909 and the event is still held there, normally on the 2nd Saturday of September each year.

The event is currently run as a quarter mile sprint for both cars and motorcycles, held under the auspices of the Motor Sports Association. The event is organised by the Brighton and Hove Motor Club, with the Sprint Section of the Vintage Motorcycle Club in charge of the Motorcycles. Entrants run individually, although in earlier days vehicles would race side by side. This practice was stopped following a number of accidents. The course length has varied over the years, generally becoming shorter to keep terminal speeds manageable as cars have got faster. The speed trials form a unique event, where vintage and exotic classics meet the latest in street and racing cars.